July 28, 2011 Palawan to Manila to Singapore
Having jealous of my Singapore trip last January, my collegemates/ workmates planned to have a week end trip there. I had my second trip abroad and this time around in group. Second trip to Singapore just 6months after my first trip abroad. I prepared the itinerary while Grace did the flight and hotel bookings. There were four of us for this trip. Grace, Odette, and I took the 5PM Airphil flight from Puerto Princesa. The plane arrived at NAIA 3 by 630PM. We had an dinner there since we still had time to spare. By 730PM, we went to NAIA 1 to meet Ate Lib who was waiting already to meet us before check-in. We check-in at the counter of Tiger Air. There was not much of questions asked by the immigration officer since we were travelling by group. By 1030PM, we were boarding the plane. We slept the whole trip since we felt like we were wasted coming from the long trip in Palawan to catch our flight in Manila. We deplaned at Singapore Budget Terminal by 130AM.
July 29, 2013 Singapore the Second Time
From the airport, we hailed a cab going to Mackenzie Road in Little India. Grace booked us at G4 Station, a backpackers hostel near the Little India MRT. Fronting the hostel is Rex Cinemas, a cinema showing Bollywood movies. Other hotels are also located nearby and a convenience store is just a stone throw away. After fixing ourselves in the room reserved, we continued our slumber and setted our alarms to wake up by 8AM later for us to start our trip early. By 10AM, we headed to the train station and alighted ourselves at Harbour Front. We made our way to Vivo City where I showed them the view of Sentosa from the open space above the mall. Afterwhich, we took the monorail train and dropped by Waterfront station. Universal Studios was waiting for us that day.
Universal Studios
The promise I made last time came true and this time I finally got to ride the attractions of Universal Studios Singapore (USS). This trip had USS included on the itinerary. So we paid each SG$66 for the day pass tickets, a price for ride all you can. We did not contain our excitement once we made it through the entrance gates. We got our theme park maps and started to walk passed Hollywod then went to New York. We had the chance to see Betty Boop and I did not waste my time not to take a photo with her.
We our way next to Sci-Fi City to ride the roller coaster. The Battlestar Gallactica Roller Coasters gave one of the thrills in my life. We tried the Scion, it's a coaster where in your seat is hanging. The whole ride took more more than a minute. The longest roller coaster ride of my life. Then we move to Ancient Egypt area where the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster is again waiting for us to try it. We got lockers first to leave our bags since riding the roller coasters has a rule of not having to many things to carry for safety purposes. I say, I had the thrills after riding the two roller coasters. Highly recommend ride for thrill seekers.
Later in the afternoon we were joined by an ex-colleague Dennis, who is now working in Singapore. We had so much fun at USS that we even stayed just to watch the pyrotechnic show around 9PM.
Chinatown
From Sentosa, we dropped by Chinatown to check out the night scene. I heard that cheap pasalubongs like keychains and shirts can be bought here. We walked passed several stalls and restaurants until we found ourselves to this Indian temple. A few meters from it is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
July 30, 2011 Clarke Quay and Sentosa
For our second day in Singapore,we went to Funan DigitaLife to check out some gadgets. I bought my 55-250mm zoom lens at a reasonable price. I did try my lenses at Clarke Quay before we went back to Sentosa.
Back in Sentosa, we went to check the attractions at Imbiah Lookout. I tried the Luge for a SG$12.50. It was fun racing with kids on the newest track, the dragon trail, which almost a kilometer in length. I also rode the lift, the Skyride, going back to the hill. I felt like I was riding a ski lift sans the snow.
Afterwhich we went to check out Siloso beach, Underwater World, and the I-fly. There was so much action on the beach that day. Volley ball was played on the other end by students. The other side of the beach was yuppies. We witnessed also some people screaming while on the zip ride.
By 5PM, we were back in Vivo City to catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. We might be late already in watching it but at least we managed to watch it on silverscreen. Talk about going to Singapore to watch Harry Potter. Ang yaman ko! Haha.
July 31, 2011 Marina Area and Suntec City
On our last day in Singapore, I showed my companions the Marina Area. There were just some interesting sights along the way. We passed through the underground malls again at City Link going to the Merlion.
A spaceship? That's the first thing that came to my mind also upon seeing this sight. This structure can be found on the roof of the Singapore Supreme Court. It very visible from the Merlion.
And foe the second time, I met again Merlion at the Marina. Since the National Day is just around the corner, yellow barricades were installed around the bridge and at the Merlion. This is part of the security measures implemented by the authorities.
On our way back, we saw an ice cream sandwich cart. We approached the vendor and pointed our flavor of choice. It just costs SG$1 for an ice cream sandwich.
From the Marina Square, we made our way to Suntec City. There, we saw the convention center and the five office towers that were designed to represent the five fingers of the hand. The worlds largest fountain, the Fountain of Wealth is the centerpiece of the commercial complex of Suntec City. I was also amazed by the architecture of the surrounding buildings.
Pasir Ris
Later in the afternoon, we went to my uncle Ramil's house. I paid a visit again to them. From there house, it was were we stayed till our flight departue time. We thought that our flight was past 1AM but it turned out that it's past midnight. We get to the what happened first. So after dinner, my uncle asked if we want to check out the IKEA store at Tampines since he is going to but something there. It was just a walking distance anyway so we obliged. We were so confident that we were still on schedule. So at IKEA, we were like models posing at their model room set ups. There were so many interior set ups for inspiration of room remodeling.
So going back at my uncle's house, we fix ourselves as we prepare for the airport. I even had two shots of vodka. I checked our flight details and right there and then, we should have had check in already. Off we rush to the airport. We arrived I think on time but the Jetstar staff at the counter would not let us in. She said that gates were now closing and even if she will let us in, the boarding gate was still far. We ended up buying a new ticket of the same price with the new flight schedule of 6AM (Juy 31, 2011). I texted my uncle on what happened. We just decided not to go back so as not to disturb them again. What is just a few hours waiting at the airport? Few hours which ment around 6 hours. Haha! We ended up exploring Changi Terminal 1 in the wee hours. We looked for spot where we can take a nap and we found empty benches near the counters. We even witnessed a drama at the Emirates counter with an irate passenger stranded in Singapore. I think she was asked to buy a ticket for a connecting flight nut when she arrived in Changi, she was not allowed to board the flight. These are just stories of airline passengers including me with my first experience of being left by the plane. Weren't these akin to the amazing race show scenarios?
We landed in NAIA 1 by 10AM. I had an incident again at the airport and this time with the Philippine Customs. I paid a thousand pesos for my tablet. Too bad that I should have left the box in Singapore. It was very evident in my plastic bag. Anyway, I learned a lot from these flight.
We spent one night in Manila before flying back to Palawan. It was a long trip back with graveyard shift work waiting. Talk about deja vu.
We spent one night in Manila before flying back to Palawan. It was a long trip back with graveyard shift work waiting. Talk about deja vu.
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller